"At CSW, you get to take on the professional role of someone who would be analyzing the topics you're studying, whether it be a director of a short film, a Supreme Court lawyer, or an ancient Macedonian historian. In "U.S. Constitution," we got to develop our own cases for a real-life issue that was being argued in the Supreme Court at the time (Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission), and on the final day we presented in front of a court of justices comprised of CSW students and adults—including the head of school!"
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE GREATEST STRENGTH OF CSW'S ACADEMIC PROGRAM?
One of CSW's biggest strengths is the immersive classroom experience. This isn't the kind of place where students sit back and listen passively to the teacher talk. Classes are active, and hands-on, and everything is framed by real-world context.
OF ALL THE CLASSES YOU'VE TAKEN HERE, WHICH HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVORITES?
Short Narrative Film
It was extremely interesting and eye-opening to learn about the movie-making process, and getting to play roles from the sound guy to the cameraman to the actor to the director was a phenomenal experience.
Alexander the Great
Our teacher Rachel's engaging teaching style really made the material come alive. We got to rewrite history, taking apart a piece of Alexander the Great's life that we believed could have been falsified.
WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS AT CSW?
- The campfire s'mores at Illuminarium—CSW's annual celebration of light and the arts—both freshman and junior years.
- Playing in the championship basketball game last year. It felt so good to hear the CSW crowd cheering us on.
- The time that my math teacher, Evelina, spoke at our Jewish affinity group meeting about her personal experiences with anti-semitism while growing up in the Soviet Union. Her story was really moving and eye opening.
HOW HAS YOUR TIME AT CSW SHAPED YOU AS A PERSON?
CSW has really opened my eyes. I've become more independent, more outspoken in my daily life, and more confident as a student.